Teddy Atlas accepted the award on behalf of the organization, which helps thousands of individuals and families in difficult times – paying for medical insurance, purchasing medical equipment, making a home handicapped-accessible, buying a headstone, helping in any way that is appropriate in a given situation. The Foundation has given away over $3 million to help the less fortunate among us and has done so in such a way as to preserve the dignity of the people receiving help, without red tape and with a discrete check to validate a particular need.
The former Borough President’s children, Dr. Albert Maniscalco and Linda Calarco, attended the event to help present the award. “There is a common thread of community service between us,” noted Dr. Maniscalco, who drew other similarities between the Maniscalco and Atlas families, including medicine and boxing. “Both of us are here because of our fathers.”
“The greatest athletes are those who are said to make their teammates on the court, rink, or field better. You hear folks say ‘he makes everyone around him better.’ Well, what do you call a person who makes the people around him better human beings? I call him Teddy Atlas and I call it the Dr. Theodore A. Atlas Foundation,” said BP Oddo.
“Teddy’s convictions, integrity, and the overwhelming force for good that is his humanity make lots of people want to join him in helping people. And, together they have helped so many Staten Islanders. For all he does, for all the Foundation does, it was a true pleasure to award the 2014 Maniscalco Award last night to the Dr. Theodore Atlas Foundation.”
“What we do at the Foundation is a collective effort,” said Atlas. “This award really belongs to all the people who helped us give back to those in need.”
Among the attendees at the event to congratulate the Atlas Foundation were past recipients of the award, including former Borough President Ralph Lamberti, Allan Weissglass, Joe Valentin, members of the Siller Family, and others.
The Tottenville High School Saxophone Quintet performed at the ceremony and fare was provided and served by the Port Richmond High School Culinary Arts Program. In addition, KIMCO Realty pledged $5,000 to the Dr. Theodore A. Atlas Foundation for their continued efforts on behalf of the community.